Spectrum Introduces SDR-4000 SWM "IF-to-Ethernet" Wireless Modem for Broadband Satellite Communications
05 November 2007
Spectrum Signal Processing by Vecima ("Spectrum") (TSX:VCM), a provider of software defined radio (SDR) technology, today announced at the SDR Forum Technical Conference and Product Expo the availability of the flexCommTM SDR-4000 SWM Satellite communications (SATCOM) Wireless Modem (SWM). The SDR-4000 SWM supports black-side "IF-to-Ethernet" digitization and processing of complex waveforms and provides modem, link and network layer processing functionality for a network-centric IP-based SATCOM system. The SDR-4000 SWM has been architected to support the latest in SATCOM waveforms including Digital Video Broadcast (DVB/DVB-S2, DVB-RCS), INMARSAT BGAN and the Multi-User Objective System (MUOS) as well as traditional legacy satellite waveforms such as the Intelsat Business Services (IBS) waveform following Intelsat Earth Station Standards 309 and 315 (IESS-309, 315).
"The SDR-4000 SWM supports up to 100 MHz of analog IF bandwidth and has sufficient FPGA and DSP resources to accommodate today's most processing intensive satellite air interface standards," said Mark Briggs, VP Marketing at Spectrum. "The small form-factor and use of industry-standard interfaces allows for a highly scalable solution that can satisfy a wide range of SATCOM needs, from rack-based satellite gateway systems to rugged mobile terminal solutions. When coupled with Spectrum's expertise in both ruggedization and life cycle management, the SDR-4000 SWM is an ideal development and deployment platform for government advanced satellite communications programs."
The SDR-4000 SWM supports two analog input channels and one analog output channel supporting industry standard 70 and 140 MHz IF. External interfaces include Gigabit Ethernet, RS232 and JTAG and a high-speed sample clock input. The SDR-4000 SWM employs a combination of two Xilinx® VirtexTM-4 field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a Texas Instrument TMS320C6416T digital signal processor (DSP) and a FreescaleTM MPC8541E general purpose processor to provide the processing resources required to support the target waveforms. The modem is 3U CompactPCI® in size and is available in air-cooled configuration. Through Spectrum's modified commercial off-the-shelf (MCOTS) program, Spectrum can work with the customer to tailor the SDR-4000 SWM to meet program specific digital and analog I/O, mechanical, processing and environmental requirements.
The SDR-4000 SWM supports both the Green Hills® INTEGRITY® real-time operating system (RTOS) and the Wind River® VxWorks® RTOS. Both of these operating systems are designed for use in embedded systems that require maximum reliability and predictable response times. The SDR-4000 SWM is delivered with Spectrum's quicComm™ hardware abstraction layer and software library. Optional support of the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) Core Framework and SCA Development tools is also available.
ABOUT SPECTRUM SIGNAL PROCESSING BY VECIMA
Spectrum Signal Processing is a leading supplier of software defined platforms for defense electronics applications. Spectrum's products and services are optimized for military communications, signals intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare and satellite communications applications. Spectrum's integrated, application-ready products provide its customers with compelling time-to-market and performance advantages while mitigating program risk and cost parameters. Spectrum also provides applications engineering services and modified commercial-off-the-shelf platforms to the US Government, its allies and its prime contractors.
Vecima Networks Inc. ("Vecima") (TSX:VCM) designs, manufactures and sells products that enable broadband access to cable, wireless and telephony networks. Vecima's hardware products incorporate original embedded software to meet the complex requirements of next-generation, high-speed digital networks. Service providers use Vecima's solutions to deliver services to a converging worldwide broadband market, including what are commonly known as "triple play" (voice, video and data) and "quadruple play" (voice, video, data and wireless) services. Vecima's solutions allow service providers to rapidly and cost-effectively bridge the final network segment that connects the system directly to end users, commonly referred to as "the last mile", by overcoming the bottleneck resulting from insufficient carrying capacity in legacy, last mile infrastructures. Vecima's products are directed at three principal markets: Data over Cable, Broadband Wireless and Digital Video. The Company has also developed and continues to focus on developing products to address emerging markets such as Voice over Internet Protocol, fiber to the home and IP video.
FORWARD-LOOKING SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT
Certain statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, such statements are generally identified by the use of such words as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "plan", "intend" and other similar terminology. These statements reflect Vecima's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated September 25, 2007 available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
